No mention of D so I assume that means the same 6. Even if it's not, based on practice Thursday you'd assume Rome would just sub in for Benn should they make a change.

BigG44

02-02-2013 02:27 PM

PP situation will be very interesting. Morrow's been demoted to the 2nd unit, and Loui was rightfully back on the top unit with Benn. Shocking that you'd try and put your best players on the top PP unit. Eakin was also center on the 2nd unit so Whitney could play the point.

I imagine they'll go to 4 D on the PP. That likely means Goli, Robi, and Daley are locks. Benn is the 4th if he players, otherwise they'd actually have an opportunity to Dillon (he's earned it) or Oleksiak.

Bigger question is has Morrow finally worked his way off the PP? Smith has already played some limited PP minutes, but does he get the last forward spot from Morrow? I'm going with no.

Eriksson-Benn-Jagr
Goligoski-Robidas

Morrow-Eakin-Ryder
Benn-Daley

Alistar

02-02-2013 02:32 PM

Well there's pretty much no way around it. The first line has to come up huge tonight or we are sunk.

If Dallas could just find a way to sneak the 2 points it would be so huge going into a tour of the northwest.

BigG44

02-02-2013 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alistar
(Post 58903271)

Well there's pretty much no way around it. The first line has to come up huge tonight or we are sunk.

I disagree. Yes it's important they finally start clicking, but Eakin playing with Reilly Smith is very exciting. Those two have chemistry. It was so obvious watching the Texas Stars this year, and they played well as a 4th line in the few games they were together. I think given the extra minutes, they'll be a good 2nd line, and I think they can drag some life out of Ryder ... or at least a consistent effort which he's lacked some this year.

Plus, the decision to trust your backup is huge. Overplaying Kari Lehtonen is a recipe for disaster. I think Bachman rewards them with a good effort.

I'm still not exactly confident they walk away with a victory, but for whatever reason I feel like Dallas will look more like a team tonight than in B2B's past and at least remain in the hunt for the victory.

Cin

02-02-2013 02:50 PM

Really want to see Dillon on the PP. He was money on it down here.

LatvianTwist

02-02-2013 02:56 PM

They better play Bachman. He and Nilstrop seem to have some intense competition going on between the two of them, and Kari obviously needs the rest.

I have a feeling Benn comes up huge tonight. Finally reminds the team and the league that he's gonna be great.

Doubtful, not to mention it sounds exactly like something Gulutzan would do.

BigG44

02-02-2013 04:42 PM

Yeah so I give .... that whole power of positive thinking BS can suck it.

MetalGodAOD*

02-02-2013 04:43 PM

Not going to panic until it's confirmed, for now it sounds like there might be a chance for Morrow to "earn" a top 6 role back. I wouldn't have any problem with that.

If he's immediately slotted there though, Joe has to be pissed. After all that about "Smith needing to play," he obviously brought him back up under the orders that he be played in the top 6. Otherwise he'd have called up Sceviour. If Gulutzan goes behind his back and plays Smith 8 minutes tonight, you'd have to think there's going to be an angry GM.